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Perspectives

How to decide which full-time MBA program is right for you

Student around table

Returning to school full time to get an MBA is a big, but exciting, decision. It can be confusing, though, trying to determine which programs you want to apply to and which one you’ll ultimately enroll in. Rankings can be a great place to start, as they have done a lot of the narrowing down for you. It’s safe to say you will get a phenomenal business education from any of the top programs. It is up to you to take that list and delve in more deeply to examine the qualitative aspects of those programs that best align with your personal and career goals.

One of the most important things you’ll want to get a feel for is the culture of the schools you are considering. 

Location

From small towns to large cities, the top MBA programs vary in terms of school location. It’s important for you to take a look at the school’s location when determining which program is right for you. If you have lived in a city all of your life, maybe you’re looking to go to a smaller town for your MBA education. UNC Kenan-Flagler is located in Chapel Hill, a college town in the heart of North Carolina’s beautiful and innovation-rich Triangle region. While it may not have the expansive public transportation system of a large urban area, the town is not short of entertainment options, outdoor activities, delicious restaurants and opportunities to get involved in the community. Regardless of what your intended location is, it is something you’ll want to consider when choosing a full-time MBA program.

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Quality of life

Quality of life is very important when deciding which full-time MBA program is right. Given that you already will be forfeiting an income for two years to obtain your MBA, you may want to think about the cost of rent, transportation and other factors. What does the cost of living look like in the areas you are considering moving to? You likely will want to enjoy all that the town or city you are moving to has to offer, so take into account the cost of living to ensure you’ll be able to do all that you want while you’re there for two years.

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Culture

One of the most important things you’ll want to get a feel for is the culture of the schools you are considering. The best way to do this is to visit the schools, if you can, and connect with current students. Current students can help you figure out whether the schools you are looking at will be a good fit. If you are unable to visit, there are plenty of ways to reach out to current students online and get insights on their experience. Their responsiveness to you and eagerness to help can be an excellent indicator of the culture of the student body at the program, and that can help you decide whether it is an environment you would or would not enjoy being a part of. To get a feel for what life is like at UNC Kenan-Flagler without visiting, reach out to one of our many MBA Ambassadors.

Opportunities for partners/families

When choosing which full-time MBA program is best for you, consider the number and level of opportunities for the people who will be moving with you. If your partner is joining you for the two years, you should explore job and extracurricular opportunities for them in the area. Also look at opportunities within the program for networking and involvement for your partner. UNC Kenan-Flagler has a club for partners called Kenan Connection that provides them with the opportunity to connect with others, participate in group events and get involved in the community. If you have children, take a look at school districts to figure out whether it’s a place you would feel comfortable enrolling them.

In the end, you want to pick the schools that best align with your interests in a number of qualitative areas and provide the type of environment you’ll enjoy and have the most success within. Examine the school’s location, quality of life, culture and opportunities for partners to make sure you choose the school that is the right fit for you. Remember that you’ll get the same extraordinary foundation in business education at each of the top programs, but it is the non-quantifiable characteristics of the programs that will make the difference for you.

>> Learn more about our Full-Time MBA Program

11.15.2021